TRW Inaugurates New Near-Field Antenna Test Facility

    REDONDO BEACH, Calif.--June 13, 2001--TRW has inaugurated use of its new, state-of-the-art near-field antenna facility designed to test complex, multibeam satellite antennas -- an enabling technology for space-based broadband communications systems.
    The facility's first application is for testing antennas that are a part of the payloads TRW is building for ASTROLINK International LLC. TRW is building the communications payload under contract to Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, Astrolink's space segment provider.
    Operational since January, TRW's Near-Field Measurement Facility is testing its first unit, an engineering model of the eight-aperture Astrolink antenna. The tests will validate and characterize the design and construction of the facility, paving the way for the first flight production unit.
    "Our cutting-edge antenna designs motivated us to build a new test facility utilizing advanced testing methodology," said Mike McVey, TRW Astrolink Payload program manager. "We now have a high-volume facility, capable of testing Astrolink payload antennas and other large, complex antenna designs. This near-field facility demonstrates TRW's commitment to the emerging broadband communications market."
    Representing a leap forward in testing capability, TRW's Near-Field Measurement Facility boasts several distinguishing features:

--	Size. Believed to be the largest facility of its kind, it is capable of testing eight fully deployed antennas in a 30-foot by 40-foot horizontal scan plane.
--	Speed. Equipped with a high-speed receiver, it can measure many multiple beams with one scan. Following acquisition, data is processed and evaluated by TRW's state-of-the-art software.
--	Frequency Range. Capable of measuring a frequency range of one gigahertz to more than 50 gigahertz.
--	Flexibility. Can measure active and passive antennas, as well as record measurements at both carrier and intermediate frequencies.
--	Scan Plane Accuracy. The corrected scan plane accuracy is one-thousandth of an inch, which allows for extremely accurate measurements.
--	Scanning. Capable of moving in numerous scan trajectories, which provides greater flexibility during measurements and diagnostic evaluations.